Man Pleads Guilty To Spree Of Pharmacy Robberies

HARTFORD — A Massachusetts man pleaded guilty on Thursday to participating in a spree of pharmacy robberies in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.

Dalbert Rodriguez, 30, was arrested on Nov. 13 in connection with the armed robbery of an East Hartford CVS, the U.S. Attorney's office said. He pleaded guilty on Thursday to one count of conspiracy to interfere with commerce through robbery and admitted to playing a role in 10 additional pharmacy robberies between June and November of 2013.

In the East Hartford robbery, which occurred on Oct. 18, Rodriguez entered the CVS about 9 p.m. and walked behind the pharmacy counter, according to the U.S. Attorney's office. He confronted a pharmacist, displayed a handgun and told the pharmacist to open the safe.

Rodriguez took numerous pill bottles from the safe and exited the store, the U.S. Attorney's office said.

Rodriguez was involved in similar robberies in East Windsor, Manchester, Enfield, Newington, Plainville, Cromwell, several communities in Massachusetts and Providence, R.I.

Controlled substances, including oxycodone, were stolen during each robbery, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.